Cleaning device



.I. ALLN 'v l 2,137,300 CLEANING DEVICE Nov. 22, Q

Filed Dec. 2, l937 INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT `OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a device useful in cleaning and flushing pipes and particularly to a device for eiciently commingling or dissolving a detergent with the flushing liquid prior 5 to entrance into the pipes to be cleaned.

In the cleaning or scouring of pipes and particularly such as are used in the dispensing of beer or the like, it is important that any detergent or cleaning agent be thoroughly dissolved in the flushing liquid, if soluble, or thoroughly suspended therein if not soluble. Otherwise, an inefficient cleansing or scouring will result. Many devices have been proposed for this purpose, but as far as I am aware, there is no commercially acceptable mechanism which will effectively accomplish this result in a simple and economical manner.

With the above object in view, the present invention contemplates a simple device which may be readily connected between the coils or pipes to be cleaned and a source of flushing uid, into which a detergent or cleansing agent may be introduced, so constructed that the detergent or cleansing agent will, under the action of the iiowing fluid, tend to remain in the device in a state of extreme turbulence. Consequently, complete solution of the agent, if soluble, or complete distribution and suspension if not soluble, will be eifected.

The invention also contemplates an interior construction of the device so that pockets are eliminated, whereby it is assured that all of the detergent or cleansing agent introduced therein will be completely removed.

The invention also consists in the novel arrangements, combination and construction of parts more fully hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. l is a sectional elevation of a device embodying my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the species illustrated, there is shown a shape preferably of non-corrodible material having an inlet I0 which may, through the instrumentality of hose II, be connected to a suitable source of flushing fluid such as water.

Beyond the inlet is a chamber A into which a detergent or cleansing agent may be introduced.

rlhis chamber is formed by curved front wall I2 and a rear wall I3 inclined upwardly from a point adjacent the inlet Ill, to a point near the top of the device. This wall, therefore, forms a dam. A screw cap I4, properly gasketed, at the top of chamber A serves to close the opening through which a detergent, cleansing or scouring agent may be introduced. This material may be one soluble in the flushing liquid or insoluble therein or a combination thereof and either liquid or solid depending upon the type of 5 deleterious substance or substances to be removed from the pipes being cleaned.

It will be apparent that any cleaning or scouring agent deposited in the chamber A will, under the influence of the flushing iiuid entering at 10 II), be completely swept out of the chamber, up the inclined wall I3 and over the top thereof as theconstruction shown does not permit of any pockets in which such material might be deposited. 15

Beyond the cleansing agent-receiving chamber A, is located a mixing chamber Bl, the construction of which is an important desideratum. Its rear wall I5 is curved downwardly, forwardly and then upwardly, terminating in the tip IB, 20 comparatively close to the back of the wall I3, so as to form a restricted space I'I. This construction insures a thorough mixing of the cleansing agent and the flushing fluid, inasmuch as the fluid carrying the agent impinges on the top of 25 the curved wall I5 and then, in following its contour, is given a rolling motion being projected ofi of the tip I6 with a tendency to return to the top of and remain in the chamber. This action creates extreme turbulence and results in thor- 30 ough mixing, which is essential in a device of this character.

Under the pressure of the incoming fluid, the mixed liquid and cleansing agent passes through lthe space I1 into the secondary turbulence pro 35 ducing chamber C and from thence through the outlet I8 and hose connection I9 to the pipes to be cleaned. It will be apparent, however, that before the mixture leaves the primary mixing chamber B, it will have remained there for an 40 appreciable length of time under conditions of extreme turbulence, thus insuring complete solution or suspension.

It will also be seen that the construction of the device is such that in no way can any cleansing 45 agent not soluble in the flushing fluid be deposited in the device and, hence, lost, as its lines are such as to insure sweeping all of the cleansing agent out of the device.

I claim: 50

1. A device of the 'character described comprising an inlet for flushing liquid, a cleaning v agent receiving chamber, taking the liquid from the inlet, means at the top of the said chamber through which a cleaning agent may be intro- 55 duced, a turbulence producing mixing chamber beyond the rst chamber having a liquid receiving wall curved downwardly, forwardly and then upwardly, whereby liquid impingingon said wall will assume a rolling motion, thus tending to re turn to the top of and remain in said chamber, thus insuring thorough mixing of the iiushing liquid and cleaning agent, and a discharge outlet for the mixed liquid and agent, said iirst chamber being provided with a rear wall sloping upwardly from bottom to top, whereby solid cleaning material deposited therein will be completely swept out of the chamber by the incoming flushing liquid.

2. A device of the character described comprising an inlet for flushing liquid, a cleaning agent receiving chamber, taking the liquid from the inlet, means at the top ofthe said chamber through which a cleaning agent may be introduced, a turbulence producing mixing chamber beyond the lrst chamber having a liquid receiv` ing wall curved downwardly, forwardly and then upwardly, whereby liquid impinging on said Wall will assume a rolling motion, thus tending to return to the top of and remain in said chamber, thus insuring thorough mixing of the flushing liquid and cleaning agent, and a discharge outlet for the mixed liquid and agent, said rst chamber being provided with a rear wall sloping upwardly from bottom to top, whereby solid cleaning material deposited therein will be completely swept out of the chamber by the incoming ushing liquid, with a secondary turbulence producing chamber adjacent the discharge outlet.

JOHN E. ALLEN. 

